Chapter 8
The wind rattling the windows woke Elizabeth abruptly. Jane was still sound asleep — they had stayed awake late the previous night, talking about the dinner and the guests. While Jane’s partiality for Mr Bingley was obvious and acknowledged, Elizabeth was still unsure about her opinion of Mr Darcy.
She felt annoyed with herself for her strange responses to the gentleman that she hardly knew.
She was not upset any longer and had put aside the offence at the assembly.
What remained was her interest in the true nature and character of this man — Lady Anne’s son and Georgiana’s brother.
So, he had written to Mrs Reynolds, asking about her.
It was natural, even expected, but she was slightly embarrassed by how the good housekeeper had related that old story.
He had sounded quite solemn when he had declared that he owed her Georgiana’s life.
Surely that was an exaggeration, and she was determined to clear it up as soon as possible.
Probably his gratitude was the reason for his sudden improvement in manners and his obvious effort to act civilly, almost amiably, with her family, including Mr Collins.
Regardless of the reason, for his politeness towards Mr Collins alone, Mr Darcy deserved praise.
Elizabeth did not trust herself to show equal patience with her cousin, especially since the clergyman had mentioned more than once his intention of marrying and had hinted at her as his choice.
Elizabeth had noticed Mr Darcy’s puzzled frown several times and wondered what he was thinking.
Not that she cared much; she had no intention of even considering marrying Mr Collins, which was equally hilarious and disturbing.
He was perhaps a ‘desirable catch’, as her mother stated, but not for her.
Elizabeth was also aware that her mother would not hesitate to force an affirmative answer, should Mr Collins be so foolish as to make a request, but she was not worried in the slightest. She had her father’s support if needed, but regardless, her mother would not succeed in changing her mind on such an important matter.
As the wind continued to blow, she left her bed, shivering in the chilly room. It was still dark, and the weather appeared to be against any activities out of doors. But, just as in her mother’s case, it was not enough to change Elizabeth’s mind.
Impatiently, she dressed and waited until the daylight broke the darkness. She put on Lady Anne’s necklace, hiding it under a scarf wrapped around her neck, then stepped out of her chamber, closing the door gently.
Mrs Hill was already attending to her duties in the kitchen, and Elizabeth informed her she would go for a walk and return for breakfast.
“But Miss Lizzy, it is very cold out of doors! And the sun is barely up. Will you not have a cup of tea and take a walk later?”
“Do not worry, Hill. I shall not be gone for long. And you know I do not mind a little cold,” Elizabeth replied affectionately to the kind woman who had been part of their family for more than ten years.
As soon as she left, the wind made her shiver.
It was colder than she had estimated, and for a moment she even considered returning.
But her curiosity and eagerness to finally speak to Mr Darcy without restraint induced her to hasten her pace.
It was a rather long walk to Oakham Mount, but she hoped the exercise would help to warm her.
During her walk, the sun rose higher in the sky, and the wind dropped slightly, but the cold remained.
As always, Hill was right, Elizabeth pondered.
If only she had gone out after breakfast, the weather would have been warmer.
But she had told Mr Darcy she would be there early in the morning, and it was better to avoid another delay to their long-awaited conversation.
Nervous and immersed in her thoughts, Elizabeth hurried to reach her destination, arriving sooner than she had anticipated.
The ground was dry, the path was clear, and sunshine announced a pleasant autumn day ahead.
She sat on a stump, looking around. She had seen the view so many times, yet she would never grow tired of it.
She glanced along the path, wondering from where Mr Darcy would appear.
She hoped they would have time to discuss everything at length, to clarify her connection to the Darcys and to ask him more about Georgiana.
If he indeed felt gratitude towards her, perhaps he could arrange for her to meet Georgiana at some time in the future, or at least write to her.
Elizabeth waited and waited; she noticed the sun had risen higher in the sky, so she knew the hour must be getting rather late.
She stood up, looked around, took a few steps to better catch a view of any rider, then sat again and rubbed her hands to warm them.
Slowly, her spirits lowered, and her nervousness increased.
She guessed it must be breakfast time; surely he would not come.
He must be enjoying a warm, tasty meal at Netherfield, while she — like a complete fool — had faced the cold and wind of the morning to meet him.
How could she be such a simpleton? Yes, he had said he would be there, and she had trusted him, but he was not.
She tried to find an excuse — perhaps he did not know where Oakham Mount was.
But surely he could have asked one of Netherfield’s servants — everybody knew it.
Of course, that was if he cared enough to take so much trouble.
And even if he was lost, the advantage of being on horseback would mean he had enough time to arrive — even twice.
Unless something truly bad had happened, which was unlikely, he should have been there; a real gentleman would be.
Such audacity, such insolence to ask her for a private encounter and then to miss it!
Of course, she was not flawless. She could have suggested the conversation occur in Longbourn’s library — Mr Bennet would not have opposed it.
What was she thinking to make such a bad decision?
Her irritation, fed by disappointment, increased, turning into anger, and she stood up in agitation.
She brushed down her gown, breathed deeply, and began the walk back, prepared to face her mother’s questions about her absence — and very likely Mr Collins’s comments. And it was all Mr Darcy’s fault!
So lost was she in her own thoughts that she did not hear the hoofs until the rider actually appeared in her sight. She stopped; he dismounted in a hurry and almost ran towards her, while his horse, loose and free, followed him and approached her as well, causing her more anxiety.
Mr Darcy’s face was red, his hair was in disorder, and he bowed deeply, speaking with haste.
“Miss Bennet, I am so happy to see you! I beg your forgiveness for being so late. I had lost any hope of finding you here still. I am so grateful to you for waiting. I deeply apologise. I took the wrong path, and then I circled around and…”
Her heart at first raced, then slowly calmed down. Regardless of the reason for his delay, he looked truly agitated and remorseful — and yes, pleased to see her.
“Mr Darcy, I am glad to see you too. I wondered what had happened that it took you so long…I am afraid the hour is late, and I cannot stay any longer. I must return home. My family will be worried.”
“Of course. I understand. Then…will you allow me to escort you? That way perhaps we can also talk a little.”
“Certainly,” she agreed, and they set off together down the path.
She felt restless, anxious, and satisfied at the same time.
He did not appear indifferent to their encounter, so she did not care much for the reason for his delay.
More than his nearness, which always made her feel somehow uncomfortable, his stallion — tall, black, and impressive — following them freely, only a short distance behind, snorting from time to time, caused her more nervousness.
In order to fight it, she was about to start the conversation, but he began first.
“I must apologise again for being late. I intended to come earlier, but last night I received several letters from London, and I wished to answer them immediately. I was up until the early hours, and somehow, to my utter shame, I did not awaken at my usual hour this morning. I have no excuse…”
Elizabeth laughed, still slightly nervous. “The truth is the best excuse, sir. The letters you mentioned — I hope there was no bad news? Is Miss Darcy in good health?”
He hesitated a moment. “There were some reasons for concern, specifically in regard to my sister, but she is in good health. However, I expect to return to London very soon. My presence is required.”
“Oh, I see,” she replied with a sudden regret that she could not explain to herself. “I am sure Mr Bingley will miss your company.”
“And I shall miss his, but he knew I would not stay too long in Hertfordshire. And speaking of my sister, I must take this opportunity to thank you again.”
He looked disquieted, and Elizabeth gently touched his arm briefly.
“Mr Darcy, as I told you last night, please do not imagine more than there was. I assume you already know how I came to visit Pemberley. Indeed, even as I child, I was impressed by your mother’s kindness to me the moment she met me.
And your sister was the sweetest girl I had known — and keep in mind that at that time I already had five sisters of my own. ”
She tried to sound light, but his expression was still serious.
“Yes, Mrs Reynolds told me as much. She said my mother used to say you brought a breath of fresh air to Pemberley.”
Elizabeth laughed again. “As I said, Lady Anne was exceedingly kind to me. My mother would have said I probably brought noise and disorder to Pemberley. Your sister’s governess and nanny surely shared the same opinion. Neither was too happy to see me around Miss Darcy.”